In the early hours of March 19, Israeli soldiers took Mustafa Sheta from his home. Sheta’s arrest came a few days before the Freedom Theatre’s annual General Assembly in Jenin.
This is the latest in a long series of assaults by the Israeli occupation forces on personnel of the Freedom Theatre, a vibrant cultural centre in the Jenin refugee camp.
Thirty-five, father of three children, Mustafa Sheta is secretary of the Theatre’s board. He is also a researcher and journalist, with a well-known commitment to social and humanitarian activism. He works with the United Nations, and is currently studying for a Masters degree. Recently he won an honours award and plans to pursue further studies in London, England later this spring.
“Since Mustafa joined the board last year he has been a tremendous resource for the theatre”, says Jonatan Stanczak, managing director of The Freedom Theatre. “His dedication, involvement and communication skills have meant a lot to us. We are doing all we can to follow his case. Until recently there was no information at all available but we just learned that there will be a court hearing in a few days.”
For more on Freedom Theatre programs, go here.
For a vivid portrait of the Freedom Theatre in action, see Our Way to Fight, chapter 2.
Michael Riordon 